Annabeth's P.O.V.

I don't know what to do as Jeanine Matthews leads us into the elevator. 

This woman is responsible for hundreds of deaths, and she's standing right in front of me.

Blend in, I think. Act natural.

I hear a ding, and the elevator opens. There are two Dauntless transfers, three Amity transfers, a Candor transfer, and that Abnegation transfer-Caleb Prior. His eyes are filled with remorse, and I think I know why. He has just betrayed his parents and sister by joining the enemy. I watched his mother hug him after the Choosing Ceremony, tears rolling down her cheeks. I feel sorry for them, then dismiss those thoughts. I can't pity this initiate, not when all of these people could potentially be my enemies. 

"We're here," Jeanine announces. "Welcome to Erudite headquarters." Her voice sounds like a robot's-flat and unfeeling.

I glance up and shield my eyes with my arm. Sunlight reflects off a tall building made completely of glass. I barely remember to breathe in and out.

Jeanine pushes through a set of glass doors, and we're inside. I hear the other initiates' gasps behind me. 

The room is a brilliant royal blue, with all kinds of tech surrounding it. A reception desk stands in the corner of the room. Computers and surveillance cameras are everywhere. People dart in and out of hallways, toting papers and books. It is heaven for a daughter of Athena.

I shake my head. Erudite's glory could hypnotize anyone. I have to think straight, to not be brainwashed by Jeanine. Her faction thinks they are changing the world, making it better. They are actually destroying it.

Jeanine smiles and turns to the initiates. "You will undergo a series of tests to prove your worth," she says. "Those who receive high scores will earn membership in Erudite, and those who don't will be factionless. Do not disappoint me."

We walk further into headquarters. We pass what must be the library, and my heart stops for a beat. There are thousands of books on the shelves. If the books are that impressive, what will the tech be like?

My heart aches. What if Jeanine tempts me to join her side? What if, blinded by Erudite's magnificence, I betray my friends?

Piper's P.O.V.

I love this faction.

In Amity, I don't have a care in the world. Apple-picking and banjo-strumming may not be useful skills, but I feel at peace here.

No more bloody wars. No more deaths. No more tragedy.

Then I remember that behind this veil of peace and prosperity, Jeanine kills the Divergent. My vision turns red with anger.

We meet Johanna Reyes, a representative of Amity. For someone in a peaceful faction, Johanna looks Dauntless. She has a hideous scar stretching from her right eyebrow to her lip. She would have been pretty, had that scar not been the first noticeable thing about her. I wonder where she got it from.

My only regret is that Jason wasn't here to experience this with me. We could have held hands and taken strolls through the gardens...

I remind myself that he's not here. He joined Candor. I hope it's not too much for him, and my friends who chose Dauntless. They say that Candor's and Dauntless' initiation is meant to break your spirit. I hope my friends stay strong.

We enter a large domed building with clear walls, similar to a greenhouse. Rows of tables span the floor's length, where people in red and yellow clothing are smiling and chatting. The greenhouse appears to be a cafeteria. A spectacular oak tree stands in the center, its branches skimming the roof and its roots stretching seven feet. My eyes widen. "How is that possible?"

"Let's say Amity specializes in growing plants," Johanna says, her eyes sparkling. "And that we've perfected fertilizers and plant-growth serums. Vegetation in Amity grows ten times faster than the average plant. The oak tree you see before you is actually only three years old."

If only the rest of the world was this amazing.

Jason's P.O.V.

I wish Piper could be here.

Candor is all about justice. They interrogate initiates until every dark secret is public knowledge. They say that when you've told the truth, you feel free. You have nothing to hide, so that makes you a good businessman. People don't believe lies, but they do believe the truth.

I love it. 

We are led into Candor headquarters, which takes my breath away. 

The room is completely white, with a black floor. Balanced scales inside a white circle are painted on the tiles.

People in black and white business suits run back and forth, talking and arguing loudly. Our guide, a tall brunette Candor woman named Cassandra, has to shout to be heard.

"Welcome to Candor headquarters," she says loudly. "This is the debate room, where we pass laws for the city. We also hold hearings here."

I barely listen. There is a nagging thought in my head that I can't get rid of.

What if I confess to a thousand people that I'm a half-blood?